Very Good
#1592 of 9,533 schools in CA
Top 17% in state
Monterey Hills Elementary
Elementary School · South Pasadena Unified
1624 Via del Rey, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Enrollment
584
Student-Teacher
23.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
584
Student-Teacher
23.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In South Pasadena
#1 of 5
public schools
California elementary schools
#1,119 of 5,817
In district
#1 of 5
South Pasadena Unified
Equity
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Monterey Hills Elementary
Monterey Hills Elementary serves 584 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in South Pasadena, earning recognition as one of California's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranking in the 95th percentile statewide at #480 out of 9,566 schools, the school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement. Students consistently excel in core subjects, with 78% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and an impressive 81% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.
The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.4 to 1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers supporting the diverse learning needs of its student body. Monterey Hills Elementary sits in an affluent and highly educated community where 72% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $127,882. This supportive environment, combined with low poverty rates of just 4.8%, creates ideal conditions for academic success.
The neighborhood's commitment to education is reflected in the substantial median home values of $1,453,500, indicating families who prioritize quality schooling. Located on Via del Rey in this large suburban setting of South Pasadena, Monterey Hills Elementary benefits from being part of a community that values educational excellence and provides strong family support for student achievement.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Monterey Hills Elementary is 23.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Monterey Hills Elementary — Students at Monterey Hills Elementary score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.3/10.
How Monterey Hills Elementary Compares
See how Monterey Hills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 78% (2019) to 80.74% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 79% (2019) to 77.66% (2024).
Location
1624 Via del Rey, South Pasadena, CA 91030
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Monterey Hills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sierra Vista Elementary (rated 9.8/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Los Angeles), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cesar Chavez Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Los Angeles), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sierra Park Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Los Angeles), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in South Pasadena, see our South Pasadena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 91030 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$128,105
Median Home Value
$1,545,100
Median Rent
$2,218/mo
Population
26,297
College Educated
72.7%
Homeownership
44%
Avg Commute
30.2 min
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Median Age
40.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Monterey Hills Elementary has a median household income of $128,105. It is a well-educated community where 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,545,100, with a median rent of $2,218/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ayer Elementary Fresno, CA | 7.9 |
| Birney Elementary Redondo Beach, CA | 7.9 |
| Captain Leland Norton Elementary San Bernardino, CA | 7.9 |
| Carver (Charles J.) Elementary Cerritos, CA | 7.9 |
| Chinese Immersion School at DeAvila San Francisco, CA | 7.9 |
| College Park Elementary Costa Mesa, CA | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Monterey Hills Elementary
What grades does Monterey Hills Elementary serve?
Monterey Hills Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Monterey Hills Elementary?
Monterey Hills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 584 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Monterey Hills Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Monterey Hills Elementary is 23.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Monterey Hills Elementary rank in CA?
Monterey Hills Elementary is ranked #1592 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Monterey Hills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Monterey Hills Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Monterey Hills Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Monterey Hills Elementary has 80.2% math proficiency and 78.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Monterey Hills Elementary a charter school?
No, Monterey Hills Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Monterey Hills Elementary a Title I school?
No, Monterey Hills Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Monterey Hills Elementary?
16.4% of students at Monterey Hills Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 584
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 23.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 16.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Los Angeles County
- Phone
- (626) 441-5860
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Pasadena Unified- District Enrollment
- 4,687
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,404
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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